What do you need to know about stabilizer links?
The stabilizer links should also be inspected for damage, cracking, or degraded bushings. Bushings and ball socket joints should be inspected to ensure they are snug.
Why are the bushings on a stabilizer bar so important?
Most of the time, the actual culprit is the rubber bushings or the ball socket joints that are designed to take most of the impact and help protect the metal parts from wearing.
How often should stabilizer bar links be inspected?
The stabilizer links should also be inspected for damage, cracking, or degraded bushings. Bushings and ball socket joints should be inspected to ensure they are snug. Have an ASE certified technician test drive your vehicle and visually inspect your stabilizer bar system at least annually.
What causes suspension bushings to crack and crack?
They wear and crack from friction, age, heat, exposure to road salt and lubricants, and the stress of frequent movement and weight loads. Like the cartilage that protects knees and elbows, when bushings wear, it puts more stress on the joints and connected parts. Like bone-on-bone contact, worn bushings can allow metal-on-metal contact.
What are ball joint stabilizer links used for?
Ball Joint Stabilizer Links – ball joint stabilizer links consist of either one or two ball stud type joints affixed to a connecting rod, which allows for increased articulation. This type of stabilizer link is becoming increasingly popular in suspension design because it is easily adapted to many different suspension types.
When to replace stabilizer bar links and bushings?
It’s a good idea to have the front stabilizer bar links and bushings fully replaced at the same time that other front end work is being completed.
What is a compliance bushing on a suspension?
What is a compliance bushing? A compliance bushing is also known as the control arm bushing. It is a necessary part of the suspension. It is a small component made from rubber or polyurethane.
How does a stabilizer link work on a car?
A stabilizer link connects both the left and right suspensions to the stabilizer bar. By connecting the left and right suspensions of the vehicle to the stabilizer bar, stabilizer links maintain the wheels at the same height and reduce vehicle body roll.